AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15793, 8 January 1917, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

'•.MADAME N. - French writers deliglit ill probing tile soul but they perforin the operation with such a delicacy ot touch ttiat tiie result is generally an artistic treat. •Madame S..,'' from the pen of Alexandre Bissrfn. can be put in thus class, but considerable care is required in its production, and unless its interpreters are capable ot treating it with that refinement of i'eeliDg that is absolutely nocessarv. it is apt to degenerate into melodrama of a crude type. From this it will be seen that a company producing "Madame X." takes a very big risk. 'Hie Royal Dramatic and Comedy Company, at present appearing in Christcburch, at the Theatre Royal, took the risk on iSaturdary evening, and emerged from the trial with only partial success. Briefly, the story of "Madame X." is as follows: Jacquelin. a s pretty woman of youthful years, leaves her husband and infant son. to fly away with a lover. After two years she comes back repentant, hut is spurn, ed. She departs and treads the downward path, having lover after lover, until twenty yeans after the prologue opens, she is .seen a debauched drug fiend, the mistress of one Laroque. an adventurer. Earoque enters into a conspiracy to blackmail Floriot, the husband of Jacquelin. but the woman, determined to shield from knowledge of her infamy the son who believes her dead, shoots Laroqne, and is tried f° r his murder. She refuses to reveal her identity, and by the irony of fate is defended by her own son, Raymond, who liis been granted her defence as his first- brief, whilst Floriot sits -with the judges on the bench. Through Raymond's eloquence, the jury bring in a verdict of not guilty. Floriot identifies his-wife. and full of remorse tells the story of his life, to his son, -who comforts, in her dying moments, the mother who loves but one person in the world, "her little son.'' The performance of Mr Ronald Riley, as Louis Floriot, was an excellent one, characterised throughout by a repression and strength that were admirable. Mr George Hewlett, as Raymond Floriot, was, however, uneven, particularly in his oration to the jury, whilst Miss Margaret Linden, as Jacquelin, was somewhat disappointing in what is, however, a: very exacting part. subsidiary parts were more or less capably filled by other members of the company. "Madame X.'' will be repeated this evening. J. C. WILLIAMSON'S MUSICAL | COMEDY COMPANY. Tho J. C. Williamson management makes an announcement this morning on the subject of booking for the four musical plays, "So Long, Letty," "Tonight's the Night," "The Girl in the Train," and "High Jinks.'' The firstnamed, which is to be the opening piece on Wednesday evening, is saia to be a bright musical farce, splendidly staged, and full of gaiety. The singing side of the company brings Mr C. H. Workman and Miss Dorothy Brunton together in the melody "So Long, Letty," and a quiet sentimental close to the first act reintroduces this theme for quartet with 'cello, harp, and celeste bells prominent in the dainty scoring. The young soprano's principal effort is the value air "When You're Away," with harmonised choral accompaniment. Miss Brunton provokes enthusiasm , in another fine number, "Down Among the Sheltering Palms," coon music which she giyes with the support of ar strong male chorus. Miss Brunton's girlishness and the frailty : of her physique form a foil to Miss Connie Edies, whose comedy w-ork is said to be very amusing, whilst her duet with Mr C. H. Workman, "They Wouldn't Believe Me,'' causes roars of laughter. Thic Gaiety comedienne also scores in her number "Here Come the Married Men," in which, semg, it is stated, she makes her biggest hit. The bulk of the comedy falls on Mr Workman and Mr Field Fisher. Mr Alfred Frith appears in the character of Billy Monday, the comic beach lifesaver. Miss Marie Baton shares with Mr William Greene in a Chinese ragtime "Temple Bells," with oriental chorus and accompaniment, and she also sings "The Dear Old Fighting Boys," a picturesque number. "So Long, Letty," can be staged for four nights. On Monday next the big London Gaiety production, "To-night's the Night," will h® produced, then. will come "The Girl in tho Train" (one night), and "High Jinks,'' for the last night of the season. The box plans for the four productions will open this morning at 9 o'clock. ■ OPERA HOUSE. To-night tho local vaudeville house will bo closed, while the full-dress rehearsal of tho pantomime is held. "Robinson Gnmoc," which will he presented to-morrow night, is said to be a bright and cnjoyablo entertainment. The production is in two acts, and nine scenes, of whichjthe most striking arc "The Port of Hull," and "Crusoe's Island." Two effective tableaux are promised in "The Wreck of the Saucy Gluepot" _ and "Rainbowland." Mr Victor Prince, the well-known comedian, will appear in the part of Crusoe, and his wife, the comic dame, will be played by Miss Lilian Oolenso, who is said to be a clever burlesque actress. The other members of Crusoe's menage include his faithful servant, • Man Friday, in the person of Mr George Sharrat, and his pet monkey, enacted by Mr Albert Howard. The principal girl is Miss Pearl Livingstone and Miss Dorothy Hastings is the boy. A strong ballet, and a number of comedians, are also included in the C 9mpanv of thirty. Three vaudeville specialty acts will be introduced, including Harry Tsuda, said to be a very clever Japanese equilibrist; Oolos, an expert banjoist, and the Arleys. A special matinee for children will be held next Saturday afternoon. Seats may now be booked for both the evening and the martinee performances, at Milner and Thompson's. PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. A new programme of pictures was shown at the Grand Theatre on Saturday.